The 'Eat, Drink, Play' concept bar is under new ownership.
Leeds red-themed bar and club, Playroom, opened in early 2022, bringing a brand-new drinking, dining and dancing concept to the city.
TV star and multi-platinum selling musician, Tom Zanetti and his business partner, Kane Towning were known to be the original owners, but in a new statement, Zanetti reveals he is no longer associated with the venue.
Image: Supplied, PGHL
The news was announced on Facebook yesterday that the former owner was "was extremely unhappy for a long time with the way the business had been run" and revealed that "while [Zanetti] was away owner management / poor trading ran up massive debt effectively forcing a sale to a new owner".
Zanetti went on to explain that "I am no longer associated with my previous partner in the venture, and now that legal formalities are complete I cannot take any more responsibility for the venue, receiving complaints and more while people are still under the impression it’s mine ultimately I have to make everyone aware I am NOT an owner and will NOT represent it at any capacity."
"For a while this has been a hard pill for me to swallow and all very disappointing."
"When I was involved, I am proud to say we had an amazing period, the best nationwide hype a venue in Leeds has ever seen, massive mainstream brand involvement with an array of huge celebrity friends and parties throughout its duration that really boosted its potential. I hate that I’ve had to post this and I genuinely wish cjmardon, the new partner good luck in all his ventures, as a well liked and established businessman if anyone can take it to new heights it’s him. Please forward all complaints/enquiries to the restaurant itself."
Playroom announced the news of its new ownership with on Instagram, collabing the post with UltraFlex and Ultra Night Club owner, Charlie Mardon.
The new Playroom announced that "the stage is set for Playrooms most prosperous year yet as we welcome exciting new ownership, investment, events and dining concepts.
"It’s been a brutal time for the hospitality industry with the cost of living crisis & rising operating costs - over 4600 venue closures last year, the highest in history! But we’ve navigated through and Playroom powers on.
"HUGE thanks to our incredible team of characters, management, promoters, DJ’s, chefs and entertainers who bring Playroom to life every weekend. And the biggest love to all our wonderful customers, past, present and future."
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
The Swine That Dines announces the official opening date of its brand new restaurant
Clementine Hall
Much-loved Leeds Bistro The Swine Bistro, formerly known as The Swine That Dines, has moved to a bigger space in Headingley.
Although it’s gone through a few name changes over the years since launching as The Greedy Pig cafe in 2012, this independent spot has long been a firm favourite for Leeds locals for some time now.
Run by chef couple Jo and Stu Myers, they’ve been operating out of North Street where it’s all about cooking seasonal produce simply and with an added ‘little bit of sunshine’.
But now Swine Bistro has moved up over to Headingley, taking up a unit previously occupied by Jam hairdressers on Otley Road.
Image: Supplied
And the time has finally come for them to open their doors, as they announce their first service will take place on Friday 4 April with bookings open from today, Thursday 20 March.
The Myers will be welcoming head chef Kirsty Cheetham, who won Observer Food Monthly’s Best Sunday Lunch award in 2018 and 2022 when she ran The Queen o’t owd Thatch in South Milford, Leeds.
The expanded space in the restaurant has allowed the team to curate a bigger wine list which will include natural wines from Wayward Wines and Latitude Wines as well as local beers from Ilkley Brewery and Horsforth Brewery.
Image: Supplied
The team remains passionate about locally sourced ingredients and has partnered with a variety of Yorkshire suppliers including R&J Yorkshire for its fresh meat, Tarbetts fishmonger, cheese from George & Joseph cheesemongers and beans from micro roaster, Chipp Coffee Co.
Jo Myers, co-owner of the Swine Bistro said: “It’s taken a huge amount of time and effort to realise our dream to revamp what was previously a hairdresser into a fully functioning kitchen and restaurant. It’s been a wild ride but we’re excited, and slightly nervous, to finally open our doors.
“We love the vibe in Headingley and the time out has allowed us to have fun with our menu as well as take part in lots of essential taste testing of ingredients and drinks from our brilliant local suppliers. We can’t wait to welcome guests into our new restaurant!”
Sophie Smith -
30th January 2024 
